The Comic Strip Presents… + Q&A

Launched in 1982 on the very first night Channel 4 started broadcasting to the nation, The Comic Strip Presents… brought alternative comedy to the masses, beginning with the Famous Five parody Five Go Mad In Dorset. Over the next two decades, acts including Rik Mayall, Adrian Edmondson, Jennifer Saunders, Doon Mackichan, Phil Cornwell and Nigel Planer popped up in a number of episodes, all under the stewardship of Comic Strip writer/director/godfather Peter Richardson.

This special event will see Peter Richardson, Doon Mackichan and Phil Cornwell join us at the Midlands Arts Centre to reminisce about their work with The Comic Strip Presents… and the late Rik Mayall, alongside screenings of Red Nose Of Courage, Four Men In A Car and a look back at cult BBC comedy Stella Street.


Running order on the night

Best Of Rik
Clips featuring Rik Mayall’s funniest moments with the Comic Strip

Red Nose Of Courage (1992)
Ex PM John Major (Ade Edmondson) runs away from the circus to become an MP. Under pressure from his circus manager dad (Alexei Sayle), Major is obliged to work evenings as part of a clown act, even when he’s Prime Minister. But then he falls for the Opposition Leader (Dawn French)…

Interval

Best of Phil and Stella Street
Featuring scenes from the hit BBC series starring Phil Cornwell and John Sessions.

Live onstage Q&A with Peter Richardson, Doon Mackichan and Phil Cornwell.

Four Men In A Car (1998)
Four salesmen heading to a conference in Swindon have the journey from hell, involving road-rage, a snowstorm, food poisoning and a farmer’s wife wielding a shotgun.